Are you ready for the #ChaplinBoom?

The festival celebrating Charlie Chaplin, silent cinema’s greatest and most beloved star, arrives at the University of Sheffield on Friday 23 May.

The festival features a whole host of exciting events, including outdoor screenings, informative talks about Chaplin’s life and legacy, and live musical performances accompanying Chaplin’s best loved films.

On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May, Chaplin’s masterpiece ‘City Lights’ will be brought back to life thanks to the Showroom Cinema and the Sheffield Rep. Orchestra. One of silent comedy’s crown jewels, City Lights is a romantic tale of the Chaplin’s adorable and iconic Tramp falling in love with a young blind flowergirl who mistakes him for a millionaire. This screening of Chaplin’s most cherished cinematic achievement will be accompanied by a live orchestral performance of Chaplin’s original score for the film, allowing the audience to experience the true essence and magic of the silent movie theatre.

On Thursday 29 May, join Neil Brand, one of the world’s leading silent film accompanists, as he brings a selection of sensational shorts to life with a live improvised piano score. Each short is taken from the years 1914-1916, during which time Charlie Chaplin made his first film, his first appearance in the Tramp costume, directed his first one-reeler, wrote and directed his first two-reeler and finally moved into total creative control. Brand will take you on a journey through these early years of Chaplin’s career, allowing you to watch him re-write the rules of cinema comedy and transform into one of the greatest film makers in the history of cinema. Tickets for this event are just £3 for students, £6 for University staff and £8.50 general admission.